Preview: #12 Michigan State vs #13 Ohio State

After a disastrous visit to Kinnick Stadium, the Buckeyes will return to Columbus to try to salvage their season against Michigan State. Like the Iowa game, this will be another trap game with huge implications involving a potential conference title game berth.

Michigan State is coming to Columbus after defeating #7 Penn State at home with a last second FG and Ohio State is coming back home after getting blown out by an unranked Iowa team that forced J.T. Barrett to uncharacteristically turn the ball over 4 times via interceptions.

This installment of Michigan State versus Ohio State will feature two 7-2 teams that are both 5-1 in conference play that are both looking to claim first place in the East. Dantonio has been a thorn in Meyer’s side and he holds two victories over Meyer.

This game is just as dangerous for the Buckeyes because in big time, big implication types of games, the Buckeyes coaches tend to get too cute for comfort and they forget that their tailbacks are dangerously and good. This usually leads to losses, whether close or in blowout fashion and these Spartans have beaten the Buckeyes when they cannot afford to take a loss.

There are many storylines for the Buckeyes in the game but the main one will be focused on J.T. Barrett and if he can move past last weeks game. Another dominant story would be can the Silver Bullets recover and be dominant once again because they were horrible last week after letting the opposing TE’s have a field day? Will the RB’s get the ball would be another one to add to the list too.

On the other side, Lewerke is coming off of consecutive 400 passing yard games and will look to dice up the Ohio State secondary. Will L.J. Scott run wild again against the LB’s who looked confused the entire game? Will the Spartan defense achieve the same results as the Hawkeye defense?

Prediction

Too many factors and variables make it difficult to accurately predict the outcome of this game, but apparently, this game will have an angry Ohio State team that is looking to salvage their season, but that does not amount to much.

We have seen these “angry” games that were too close for comfort, so I will not buy into it this week. I foresee another questionable gameplan with uber-conservative playcalling. A balance in play calling will be there but check down passes will be featured a lot to prevent turnovers.